Prospectus
2027/28
Welcome to Howden Lisa Tester, Headteacher Choosing the right secondary school is one of the most important decisions a
At the heart of everything we do are our values of Aspiration, Courtesy and Excellence. These values shape our culture, our relationships and
family will make, and I am delighted
our expectations. We want every student to feel safe, valued and
that you are considering Howden
supported, whilst also being challenged to achieve their very best. We
School.
firmly believe that young people thrive when high expectations are combined with care, encouragement and a genuine sense of belonging.
We are incredibly proud of our school, our students and the community
As a school, we are determined never to stand still. We continually look
we serve. Over recent years, Howden has undergone significant
for ways to improve the experience we provide for our students so that
improvement, with Ofsted recognising our transformational journey, our
every child leaves Howden with the qualifications, character, confidence
high expectations and the positive culture that exists throughout the
and ambition needed for future success. Whether in the classroom, on
school. Those improvements have been reflected in our strongest ever
the sports field, through the arts, in leadership roles or within our
examination outcomes, but for us, success is about far more than
extensive extracurricular programme, students are encouraged to
results alone.
discover their strengths and develop their talents.
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One of the things that makes Howden special is the strength of our relationships. Our dedicated staff know students well and work tirelessly to support them both academically and personally. Through our pastoral systems, student leadership opportunities and commitment to well-being, we ensure that every young person has the opportunity to flourish. As part of The Consortium Academy Trust, our students also benefit from being part of a wider family of schools, giving them access to additional opportunities, experiences and expertise that help shape positive futures. I hope this prospectus gives you a flavour of what makes Howden such a special place to learn and grow. However, no document can fully capture the warmth, ambition and sense of community that exists here every day. I would encourage you to visit us, meet our students and staff, and see for yourself what makes the Howden Way so distinctive.
I look forward to welcoming you to our school. Howden School 03
Our Vision:
SHAPING POSITIVE FUTURES Our Mission: We put our students first. We have a supportive, yet challenging environment to allow everyone in our school community to: • Flourish and believe that they have every chance of success. • Work together, through our values, so that they can achieve more than can be done individually. • Work within a supportive culture where taking appropriate risk is seen as a strength. • Be proud of themselves, their peers, our Trust, and our local communities.
Our Values:
ASPIRATION COURTESY EXCELLENCE 05
Curriculum At our school, high-quality teaching is the foundation of everything we do. Our subject specialists are passionate about their areas of expertise and bring lessons to life in ways that spark curiosity, build confidence, and stretch every learner to achieve their very best. We are proud of our culture of achievement. Every student is encouraged to aim high, with teachers who combine challenge and support to ensure that all young people believe in their ability to succeed. Staff work collaboratively, sharing best practice so that every classroom experience is engaging, ambitious, and tailored to meet the needs of all learners. Our curriculum is carefully designed to match the right courses to the right students. Decisions are always centred on the individual child,
informed by rigorous academic data, student preferences, and their future goals. This ensures that every learner has the best possible platform for success both now and in the future. Achievement at our school goes beyond exam results. Through enrichment opportunities, targeted life-skill events, and a strong careers programme, students build the character, confidence, and independence they need for life beyond the classroom. With impartial careers guidance, every young person is supported to make informed choices about their future — whether that be further education, training, or employment. By combining excellent teaching, a flexible curriculum, and meaningful enrichment with a culture of high aspiration, we ensure every child leaves us not only with strong qualifications, but also with the skills, ambition, and self-belief to thrive in whatever path they choose.
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Key Stage 3
Teaching and Learning
At Key Stage 3 students study English, Maths and Science as well as Art, Computing, Design & Technology, Religious Education, Geography, History, Languages, Performing Arts, PE and PSHE.
Key Stage 4 At Key Stage 4, students study a broad curriculum tailored to their ambition and potential. Alongside core subjects in English, Maths, and Science, they choose additional subjects based on their strengths, interests, and effort. Our flexible pathways include GCSEs, or a blend of GCSEs with equivalent qualifications such as BTECs, V Cert Technical Awards, or Cambridge Nationals. Each student’s pathway is designed individually, helping them build resilience, independence, and the best possible foundation for success.
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Care and Support House System At Howden our House system links to our positive behaviour policy. Our students involve themselves in the wider life of the school in so many ways and our House system is used as a vehicle to reward student participation. All students and staff are part of a smaller community within school which creates both a sense of belonging and helps to develop a competitive nature. There are five Houses at Howden, each one named after an inspirational figure who represents qualities which we, as a school community, value. The Houses are Johnson, Mandela, Simmonds, Turing and Wilberforce.
Special Educational Needs Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are addressed by the whole school as Howden School is an inclusive school. We have an excellent Learning Support Team who provide student-centred support to those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The SENCo leads our experienced team of Learning Support Assistants, Enhanced Resource Provision Manager and The Bridge Manager in providing support to our most vulnerable students, alongside our pastoral team and teaching staff. We support students with SEND to make progress across the curriculum and to engage in all aspects of school life. Students typically learn alongside their peers, with staff supporting and scaffolding learning to meet their needs. We enable effective inclusion by regularly engaging in training, to ensure SEND needs and strategies that support learning are understood and can be implemented. We value partnership work with our parents and, with them, work closely with our professional partners to provide the best support we can for our students.
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Pastoral Care
Our Heads of Year are non-teaching members of staff, fully dedicated
At Howden School, the well-being and personal development of every
provide guidance, celebrate achievements, and respond quickly to
student is at the heart of our ethos. Our pastoral system is carefully
challenges. They work closely with students, families, and staff to make
designed so that every young person feels supported, safe, and ready to
sure every child has the support they need to thrive.
to pastoral care. This ensures they are available throughout the day to
succeed. Safeguarding is central to our provision. Our Designated Safeguarding Each day begins with an ACE (Aspiration, Courtesy, Excellence) tutor
Lead (DSL), also a non-teaching member of staff, is available to
period. These daily sessions give students a consistent point of contact
respond promptly and effectively to any concerns. Together with the
with their tutor, helping them to feel connected, supported, and guided
wider safeguarding team, they ensure that all students feel safe and
in living out our core values. Tutors play a key role in monitoring
well cared for, with access to further specialist support if required.
progress, encouraging positive attitudes, and fostering a strong sense of belonging within the school community.
Through this strong structure of care, guidance, and high expectations, students at Howden School are encouraged to grow not only in knowledge and skills, but also in confidence, resilience, and character.
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Our School School Leadership
• Student Support Leaders - play a key role in supporting and
There are many opportunities throughout a student’s time in school to
• Sports Ambassadors - help champion our extracurricular
become involved in student leadership. Our aim is for those involved in
mentoring fellow students programme and support at primary school events
student leadership to have a meaningful role in decision making, so they can represent the whole student community. Student leadership
There are six Senates that are run by the Senior Leadership Team;
roles include Head Students, Deputy Head Students, House Leaders
Leadership Senate, Environment Senate, Behaviour and Attendance
and School Leaders (senate), School Support Leaders and Sports
Senate, Curriculum & Teaching Senate, Inclusion Senate and
Ambassadors.
Safeguarding & Well-being Senate. Becoming involved in these senates allows students to represent other members of the student community
• School Leaders work alongside the Senior Leadership Team to drive positive change across the whole school • House Leaders - collaborate with Heads of House to plan and run house competitions
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and to discuss their ideas with members of the Senior Leadership Team.
Extracurricular Activities Students have many opportunities to take part in a wide variety of activities outside the classroom, which cover a full range of interests including sport, music, drama, languages and technology. We also offer students the opportunity to take part in several enterprise, community and social mobility projects such as Young Enterprise, Bite Back, CanTeam and Active Travel Ambassadors. There is also DofE and Boys’ Brigade and several regular trips such as our annual London Cultural visit each summer.
Charity Our school is also the proud home of our registered charity, A Shining Light, which raises money in support of frontline services and the Teenage Cancer Trust. The charity began back in 2022 following the loss of Howden student Luke Stevens and has since raised over £149,000. The charity raises awareness of physical and mental health in young people as well as creating meaningful volunteering opportunities for our students. The charity runs several initiatives both in school and outside in the wider community.
Catering The food at Howden is provided by Caterlink, whose aim is to serve great, fresh food using the very best of seasonal ingredients to create amazing, innovative and exciting dishes. More information and sample menus are available on our website - look out for promotions, meal deals and special offers. A wide range of food is on offer at both morning break and lunch time.
Uniform Students are expected to adhere to the school's dress code which provides students with a safe and cost-effective style of dress. The school expects parents/carers to support us and ensure students have the correct items of clothing. Details are available from the school and on the website.
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Positive Destinations All students receive Careers Education, Information, Advice and
Careers education is embedded throughout all year groups, ensuring students are supported at every stage of their school journey. This includes developing employability skills, exploring
Guidance (CEIAG) as an important
future choices, and making informed decisions about pathways
part of their preparation for future
both in education and employment. While key transition points in
working life.
Year 9 and Year 11 are particularly significant, careers education is a continuous process for all students. Our aim is to provide informative and impartial advice and guidance to help every student plan for their future.
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All students at Howden receive Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance to prepare them for key transition points and as an important part of preparation for their future working life, including advice and guidance about future choices and the development of employability skills. Our aim is to provide informative and impartial advice and guidance for all students that helps them to understand the education, training, employment and other progression opportunities available to them. Each year our Year 11 students leave us to go onto a variety of positive destinations, including local post-16 education and training providers as well as employment options. Howden students are also encouraged to apply for a place at The Consortium Sixth Form College. Every summer, we take great delight in celebrating our students' successes with them as they receive their results, and we keep in touch with former students, encouraging them to share their plans for the future as they progress onto a variety of positive destinations.
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The Howden Way At Howden School, we are proud to embody The Howden Way. It is our distinctive approach to education and personal development. Grounded in our core values of Aspiration, Courtesy and Excellence, it shapes every aspect of school life: from teaching and curriculum to behaviour and enrichment. These values ensure that every student is supported to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Behaviour Positive behaviour reflects the values of the school: aspiration, courtesy, and excellence. We establish this through creating an environment where good conduct is more likely and poor conduct less likely. ‘First Attention for best conduct’. This behaviour is taught to all students through our behaviour curriculum each half term, so that they understand what behaviour is expected and encouraged and what is prohibited.
Classroom Our classroom curriculum is designed to support high standards of progress and attainment for all students. It includes clear expectations and consistent routines that promote focus, responsibility, and academic success. Key elements include Expectations and Routines, Literacy, Presentation, Assessment and Feedback and revision strategies. All of our staff follow the Howden Learning Cycle which ensures that high quality teaching is delivered every lesson.
Character Our Character Curriculum supports the personal development of every student, helping them grow into respectful, responsible, and aspirational young people. It includes: Careers Education, PSHE/RSE, Leadership Opportunities, School values and Citizenship.
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Well-being At the heart of our school is a commitment to student well-being, with a strong focus on creating a culture where every child feels safe, valued, and that they belong. A sense of belonging is key to personal development, academic success, and emotional resilience. Our well-being curriculum is woven through all aspects of school life and includes: SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development), Safeguarding, curriculum and pastoral support.
Enrichment At Howden School, we believe learning goes beyond the classroom. Our enrichment programme offers all students the chance to explore new interests, develop key life skills, and grow in confidence. Through a wide range of clubs, and experiences, we aim to nurture talents and promote well-being, and support personal growth.
Aspiration. Courtesy. Excellence. These values are not simply aspirations. They are lived and modelled daily by students and staff. The Howden Way ensures that every young person leaves us not only with strong academic outcomes, but also with the character, confidence and ambition to flourish in the next stage of their journey.
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SHAPING POSITIVE FUTURES
Our Trust Lizann Lowson, CEO Howden School is part of The Consortium Academy Trust. As a Trust we are ambitious about the future, creating learning environments and excellence in teaching and learning that provide our children and young people with the best chance at a successful future. Other schools which are part of our Trust include Croxby Primary, Cottingham High School, Hessle High School & Sixth Form College, Holderness Academy, Keyingham Primary, Oakfield School, Penshurst Primary, Winifred Holtby Academy and Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College. The Consortium Sixth Form College, with campuses at Hessle and Wolfreton, delivers post-16 provision to learners across our Trust. The strength of our Trust is in working together for the sole benefit of children and young people. Our highly skilled Headteachers work collaboratively, by sharing resources and expertise, to ensure children and young people across all our schools experience inclusive learning opportunities alongside a challenging, fun and aspirant education. As a team, in partnership with parents, carers and other key stakeholders,
“As a Trust we are ambitious about the future, creating learning environments and excellence in teaching and learning that provide our children and young people with the best chance at a successful future.”
we are ambitious to shape positive futures, so each child and young person is able to excel and achieve their goals.
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Howden School Derwent Road, Howden, DN14 7AL Tel: (01430) 430448, office@howdenschool.net
Howden School All information is correct at time of printing and is subject to change without notice.